Locking boot for vehicle wheel

ABSTRACT

A vehicle locking boot includes a horizontal support arm and a first vertical support arm extending from the horizontal support arm. The first vertical support arm includes a front engagement protrusion. A receiving sleeve extends from the horizontal support arm at a base of the first vertical support arm. A horizontal extension portion is coupled to the horizontal support arm. A second vertical support arm extends from the horizontal extension portion. The second vertical support arm includes a rear engagement protrusion extending therefrom. The front engagement protrusion faces the rear engagement protrusion. A keypad is disposed on the first engagement portion to lock and unlock the horizontal extension portion. A lug nut blocking plate is coupled to the first vertical support arm. A global positioning system (GPS) housing is positioned at an upper portion of the first vertical support arm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/456,482, filed on Jun. 28, 2019, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/788,333,filed on Jan. 4, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a locking boot for a vehicle wheel. Oneor more exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a lockingboot for a vehicle wheel including an oversized lug nut cover and pad.

BACKGROUND

Parking enforcement often involves the use of identifying one or morevehicles illegally occupying a particular parking space or area andtowing said vehicle. Further, vehicle tags registered to an owner whoowed substantial fees in unpaid parking tickets. Fines may be increasedsubstantially for repeat violators who are termed scofflaws. Scofflawsmay be individuals who repeatedly violate a summons. Thus, vehiclesregistered to such owners may be towed to a storage location until backfines are paid the towed vehicle is replaced. An alternative approach isto utilize a vehicle locking boot which attaches to a vehicle's wheeland will prevent said vehicle from being moved until any related backfines are paid.

A vehicle locking boot may be applied to at least one wheel of a vehicleregistered to a scofflaw or to a vehicle parked in an illegal area. Thevehicle locking boot may eliminate the need to tow the vehicle, whichsaves time and money for both the vehicle owner and the municipality inwhich the vehicle is located. Such vehicle locking boots may be releasedafter a fine is paid and the released vehicle locking boot may bereturned to a management company without the vehicle ever being towed.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehiclelocking boot includes a horizontal support arm and a first verticalsupport arm extending from the horizontal support arm along a directionorthogonal to an upper surface the horizontal support arm. The firstvertical support arm includes a front engagement protrusion extendingtherefrom. A receiving sleeve extends from the horizontal support arm ata base of the first vertical support arm along a direction parallel toan extending direction of the horizontal support arm. A horizontalextension portion is coupled to the horizontal support arm. A secondvertical support arm extends from the horizontal extension portion alongthe direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal supportarm. The second vertical support arm includes a rear engagementprotrusion extending therefrom. The front engagement protrusion facesthe rear engagement protrusion. A keypad is disposed on the firstvertical support arm. The keypad is configured to lock and unlock thehorizontal extension portion. A lug nut blocking plate is coupled to thefirst vertical support arm above the front engagement protrusion. Aspacer is removeably coupled to the horizontal support arm. The spacerextends along the extending direction of the horizontal support arm.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lugnut blocking plate may include a lug nut blocking pad disposed on thelug nut blocking plate.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lugnut blocking plate may have an octagonal shape.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thehorizontal extension portion may be coupled to an internal track formedin the horizontal support arm. The horizontal extension portion may beconfigured to slide along the internal track to move the rear engagementprotrusion to varying distances from the front engagement protrusion.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a distalend of the horizontal extension portion with respect to the secondvertical support arm may be concealed within the receiving sleeve whenthe front engagement protrusion is in contact with the rear engagementprotrusion.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thehorizontal support arm may have a first thickness along the directionorthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm. Thereceiving sleeve may have a second thickness along the directionorthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm. Thesecond thickness may be less than the first thickness.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the uppersurface of the horizontal support arm may extend along a firsthorizontal plane. An upper surface of the receiving sleeve may extendalong a second horizontal plane. The first horizontal plane may bespaced apart from the second horizontal plane along the directionorthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the firstvertical support arm may form a 90° angle with the horizontal supportarm.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adiameter of the lug nut blocking plate may be at least 10 inches.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adiameter of each of the front engagement protrusion at a first end ofthe front engagement protrusion opposite the rear engagement protrusionmay be at least 2 inches. A diameter of the rear engagement protrusionmay taper to 1 inch at a second end of the front engagement protrusionfacing the rear engagement protrusion.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adiameter of the rear engagement protrusion may taper to about ⅜ of aninch along a direction toward the front engagement protrusion.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adiameter of the front engagement protrusion may taper to about ⅜ of aninch along a direction toward the rear engagement protrusion.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a lengthof the spacer may be less than a length of the horizontal support arm.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a sidesurface of the spacer facing the first vertical support arm may bespaced apart from the first vertical support arm.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thespacer may include a plastic frame having a hollow center.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thehollow center of the plastic frame may be substantially filled withfoam.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thespacer may include a plurality of pins positioned and dimensioned to beinserted into corresponding holes formed in the horizontal support arm.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pinsmay be compression pins configured to removeably couple the spacer tothe horizontal support arm.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the frontengagement protrusion may include a plastic or rubber coating.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rearengagement protrusion may include a plastic or rubber coating.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thevehicle locking boot may include a space between the spacer and thefirst vertical support arm. The space may be from 0.5 inches to 3inches.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehiclelocking boot includes a horizontal support arm and a first verticalsupport arm extending from the horizontal support arm along a directionorthogonal to an upper surface the horizontal support arm. The firstvertical support arm includes a front engagement protrusion extendingtherefrom. A receiving sleeve extends from the horizontal support arm ata base of the first vertical support arm along a direction parallel toan extending direction of the horizontal support arm. A horizontalextension portion is coupled to the horizontal support arm. A secondvertical support arm extends from the horizontal extension portion alongthe direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal supportarm. The second vertical support arm includes a rear engagementprotrusion extending therefrom. The front engagement protrusion facesthe rear engagement protrusion. A keypad is disposed on the firstvertical support arm. The keypad is configured to lock and unlock thehorizontal extension portion. A lug nut blocking plate is coupled to thefirst vertical support arm above the front engagement protrusion. Aglobal positioning system (GPS) housing is positioned at an upperportion of the first vertical support arm.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a GPSunit is positioned in the GPS housing. The GPS unit includes a GPStransmitter.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the GPShousing may include a first side plate and a second side plate oppositethe first side plate. The first and second side plates may extend alongthe lug nut blocking plate. A rear plate may be positioned between thefirst and second side plates.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rearplate may be removeably anchored to the lug nut blocking plate.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rearplate may include a plurality of screw extensions configured to extendtoward the lug nut blocking plate. The screw extensions may each bealigned with a corresponding hole formed in the lug nut blocking plate.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rearplate may include plastic. The rear plate is configured to allowtransmission of a GPS signal from the GPS transmitter

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the GPSunit may be configured to be activated by movement from a predeterminedlocation. Then initial movement of the GPS unit may be determined usinga cellular tower network

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, alocation of the GPS unit may be determined by a Global NavigationSatellite System (GNSS) network after the initial movement of the GPSunit is detected. The location of the GPS unit determined by the GNSSmay be determined at a predetermined rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The above and other features of the present invention will become moreapparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking bootaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking bootaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking bootaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a vehicle locking boot according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of a vehicle locking boot according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention coupled to a vehiclewheel.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a vehicle locking boot according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top down view of a vehicle locking boot and aspacer configured to be coupled to the vehicle locking boot according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking bootaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking bootaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary front engagement protrusion of avehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary spacer of a vehicle locking bootaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle locking bootaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a rear perspective view of the vehicle locking bootof FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 illustrates a close up view of an interior of a GPS housing anda GPS unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 illustrates an angled front view of the vehicle locking boot ofFIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be understood that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.are used herein to distinguish one element from another, and theelements are not limited by these terms. Thus, a “first” element in anexemplary embodiment may be described as a “second” element in anotherexemplary embodiment.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings Likereference numerals may refer to like elements throughout thespecification and drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking bootaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking boot according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates anangled side view of a vehicle locking boot according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of avehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 5 illustrates a view of a vehicle locking boot accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention coupled to a vehiclewheel.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, a vehicle locking boot 100 may include an oversizedlug nut blocking plate (e.g., a lug nut blocking plate 109) and pad(e.g., a lug nut blocking pad 110). The lug nut blocking plate 109 andpad 110 may be approximately ten inches in diameter, and may have asubstantially octagonal shape. Thus, the lug not blocking plate 109 andpad 110 may be dimensioned, shaped and positioned to prevent tamperingwith the vehicle locking boot 100 by preventing lug nuts of a lockedvehicle (e.g., vehicle 500) from being removed.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehiclelocking boot 100 may include relatively wide front and rear engagementprotrusions (e.g., a front engagement protrusion 103 and a rearengagement protrusion 107) configured to be inserted into inner andouter indentations of a wheel. The engagement protrusions may beapproximately two inches in diameter, and may taper to approximately oneinch in diameter at innermost points of the engagement protrusions whichface each other at an inner portion of a wheel (e.g., approximatelybehind the lug nuts of the vehicle). Upward projecting support arms(e.g., a first vertical support arm 102 and a second vertical supportarm 106) of each of the engagement protrusions (the engagementprotrusions may project horizontally) and the engagement protrusions maybe formed as a single continuous member without weld joints. Thus, theengagement protrusions may be substantially rigid such that they cannotbe easily tampered with or broken away from the vehicle locking bootthrough an application of force to the engagement protrusions orcorresponding support arms.

The support arms and the engagement protrusions may be dimensioned,shaped and positioned such that tips of the engagement protrusions comeinto contact with each other when the vehicle locking boot 100 is fullyclosed, and the engagement protrusions may become separated from eachother when the vehicle locking boot 100 is opened (e.g., to lock thevehicle locking boot to a wheel). However, dimensions of a wheel towhich the vehicle locking boot 100 is attached may vary, and thus theengagement protrusions may be separated from each other even when thevehicle locking boot 100 is locked to a wheel of a vehicle.

A first engagement protrusion (e.g., a front engagement protrusion 103)coupled to a first vertical support arm (e.g., a first vertical supportarm 102) opposite the lug nut blocking plate 109 may be moved away froma second engagement protrusion (e.g., a rear engagement protrusion 107)coupled to a second vertical support arm (e.g., a second verticalsupport arm 106) immediately below the lug nut blocking plate 109 by wayof a horizontal extension portion coupled to the first vertical supportarm. The horizontal extension portion may slide through a trackimmediately below the second vertical support arm. The horizontalextension portion 105 may move in and out of a receiving sleeve 104which is fully enclosed and is positioned approximately below the lugnut blocking plate 109. Thus, a distal end of the horizontal extensionportion 105 is not exposed to an outside of the vehicle locking boot,which may prevent damage to the horizontal extension portion, and mayreduce an amount of maintenance (e.g., greasing and cleaning) of thehorizontal extension portion and the track. An upper surface of thereceiving sleeve 104 may be in a different horizontal plane (e.g., afirst horizontal plane 401) than an upper surface of a horizontalsupport arm (e.g., a horizontal support arm 101) coupled to the secondvertical support arm (e.g., a second vertical support arm 106) on anopposite side of the second vertical support arm from the horizontalsupport arm 101. For example, an upper surface of the receiving sleeve104 may be below the upper surface of the horizontal support arm 101,which may reduce a size and weight of the overall vehicle locking boot,while still protecting the horizontal extension portion.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the firstvertical support arm may form substantially a ninety degree angle withthe horizontal support arm.

The vehicle locking boot may be unlocked and removed by entering a codeinto keypad, unlocking the boot, and sliding the engagement protrusionsaway from each other to remove the vehicle locking boot from the wheel.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thevehicle locking boot 100 may be formed of steel or another rigid metal,and may include a relatively small number of weld joints, which mayprevent one or more portions of the vehicle locking boot from beingtampered with or broken off through an application of force. Forexample, each of the support arms described herein may have a hollow,tubular steel structure to maximize strength, while minimizing weight,thus allowing the vehicle locking boot 100 described herein to be easilylocked to a vehicle's wheel without being damaged or broken off throughan application of mechanical force or through tampering with by an ownerof a vehicle.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thevehicle locking boot 100 may include countersunk screws 112, a chargingport 113 for charging to key pad 108 or any other connected electronicdevices, a lock 114 and a release button 115 for releasing the lock 114when the release button 115 is depressed after a correct unlock code isentered into the keypad 108.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehiclelocking boot 100 includes a horizontal support arm 101 and a firstvertical support arm 102 extending from the horizontal support arm 101along a direction orthogonal to an upper surface the horizontal supportarm 101. The first vertical support arm 102 includes a front engagementprotrusion 103 extending therefrom. A receiving sleeve 104 extends fromthe horizontal support arm at a base of the first vertical support arm102 along a direction parallel to an extending direction of thehorizontal support arm 101. A horizontal extension portion 105 iscoupled to the horizontal support arm 101. A second vertical support arm106 extends from the horizontal extension portion 105 along thedirection orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm101. The second vertical support arm 106 includes a rear engagementprotrusion 107 extending therefrom. The front engagement protrusion 103faces the rear engagement protrusion 107. A keypad 108 is disposed onthe first vertical support arm 102. The keypad 108 is configured to lockand unlock the horizontal extension portion 105. A lug nut blockingplate 109 is coupled to the first vertical support arm 102 above thefront engagement protrusion 103.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lugnut blocking plate 109 may include a lug nut blocking pad 110 disposedon lug nut blocking plate. The lug nut blocking pad 110 may be a foam orrubber pad having substantially a same size and shape as the lug nutblocking plate 109 to protect a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 500) wheel fromdamage.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lugnut blocking plate 109 may have an octagonal shape, which may preventthe lug nuts from being accessed or tampered with.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thehorizontal extension portion 105 may be coupled to an internal track 111formed in the horizontal support arm. The horizontal extension portion105 may be configured to slide along the internal track 111 to move therear engagement protrusion 107 to varying distances from the frontengagement protrusion 103.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a distalend of the horizontal extension portion 105 with respect to the secondvertical support arm 106 may be concealed within the receiving sleeve104 when the front engagement protrusion 103 is in contact with the rearengagement protrusion 107.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thehorizontal support arm 101 may have a first thickness (e.g., firstthickness H1 illustrated in FIG. 4) along the direction orthogonal tothe upper surface of the horizontal support arm 101. The receivingsleeve 104 may have a second thickness (e.g., second thickness H2illustrated in FIG. 4) along the direction orthogonal to the uppersurface of the horizontal support arm 101. The second thickness may beless than the first thickness.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the uppersurface of the horizontal support arm 101 may extend along a firsthorizontal plane (e.g., first horizontal plane 401 illustrated in FIG.4). An upper surface of the receiving sleeve may extend along a secondhorizontal plane (e.g., second horizontal plane 402 illustrated in FIG.4). The first horizontal plane may be spaced apart from the secondhorizontal plane along the direction orthogonal to the upper surface ofthe horizontal support arm 101.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the firstvertical support arm 102 may form a 90° angle with the horizontalsupport arm 101.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adiameter of the lug nut blocking plate 109 may be at least 10 inches.Thus, the lug nut blocking pad 110 may be relatively large to preventaccess to and tampering with the underlying lug nuts.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adiameter of each of the front engagement protrusion 103 at a first endof the front engagement protrusion 103 opposite the rear engagementprotrusion 107 may be at least 2 inches. A diameter of the rearengagement protrusion 107 may taper to 1 inch at a second end of thefront engagement protrusion 103 facing the rear engagement protrusion107.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a vehicle locking boot according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a topdown view of a vehicle locking boot and a spacer configured to becoupled to the vehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 8 illustrates an angled side view of avehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 9 illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle lockingboot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.10 illustrates an exemplary front engagement protrusion of a vehiclelocking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary spacer of a vehicle lockingboot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 6-11, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, a vehicle locking boot may include a horizontalsupport arm 101 and a first vertical support arm 102 extending from thehorizontal support arm 101 along a direction orthogonal to an uppersurface the horizontal support arm 101. The first vertical support arm102 may include a front engagement protrusion 103 extending therefrom. Areceiving sleeve 104 may extend from the horizontal support arm 101 at abase of the first vertical support arm 102 along a direction parallel toan extending direction of the horizontal support arm 101. A horizontalextension portion 105 may be coupled to the horizontal support arm 101.A second vertical support arm 106 may extend from the horizontalextension portion 105 along the direction orthogonal to the uppersurface of the horizontal support arm 101. The second vertical supportarm 106 may include a rear engagement protrusion 107 extendingtherefrom. The front engagement protrusion 103 may face the rearengagement protrusion 107. A keypad 108 may be disposed on the firstvertical support arm 102. The keypad 108 may be configured to lock andunlock the horizontal extension portion 105. A lug nut blocking plate109 may be coupled to the first vertical support arm 102 above the frontengagement protrusion 103. A spacer 601 is removeably coupled to thehorizontal support arm 101. The spacer 601 extends along the extendingdirection of the horizontal support arm 101.

The spacer 601 substantially closes a space between the horizontalsupport arm 101 and a tire positioned above the spacer 601 (see, e.g.,FIG. 5). Accordingly, tampering with the vehicle locking boot by objects(e.g., a pry bar or crowbar) positioned between the horizontal supportarm 101 and the tire may be reduced or eliminated by the spacer 601. Forexample, the spacer 601 may be positioned and dimensioned to be indirect contact with a tire, thus eliminating an open space into whichtools (e.g., a pry bar or crowbar) could be inserted. Accordingly,tampering with the vehicle locking boot may be reduced or eliminatedthrough use of the spacer 601.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adiameter of the rear engagement protrusion 107 may taper to about ⅜ ofan inch along a direction toward the front engagement protrusion 103.For example, the diameter of the rear engagement protrusion 107 maytaper to about ⅜ of an inch from a diameter of about 2 inches along thedirection toward the front engagement protrusion 103. Similarly, adiameter of the front engagement protrusion 103 may taper to about ⅜ ofan inch along a direction toward the rear engagement protrusion 107.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a lengthof the spacer 601 may be less than a length of the horizontal supportarm 101 (see, e.g., FIG. 9). Thus, the spacer 601 may be smaller than adistance between the vertical support arms 102 and 106 in a closedstate. Thus, a weight of the spacer 601 may be relatively low, andmanufacturing costs of the vehicle locking boot may be reduced.

The vehicle locking boot described herein may include or be formed ofaluminum or an aluminum alloy. The use of aluminum or aluminum alloy informing the vehicle locking boot may reduce a weight of the vehiclelocking boot when compared with steel.

Reducing an overall weight of the vehicle locking boot including thespacer 601 may allow the vehicle locking boot to be more easilymanipulated to be attached to or removed from a vehicle's wheel.Accordingly, damage to a vehicle or vehicle wheel may be reduced oreliminated.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a sidesurface 602 of the spacer 601 facing the first vertical support arm 102may be spaced apart from a side surface 603 the first vertical supportarm 102. For example, the vehicle locking boot may include a space 901between the spacer and the first vertical support arm 102 (see, e.g.FIG. 9). The space may be from 0.5 inches to 3 inches.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a sidesurface 604 of the spacer 601 facing the second vertical support arm 106may be substantially aligned with or slightly spaced apart from a sidesurface 605 of the horizontal support arm 101 facing the second verticalsupport arm 106 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6 and 9). This may maximize contactbetween the spacer 601 and a vehicle's tire without making the spacer601 unnecessarily large. As an example, the spacer 601 may havesubstantially a same width as a vehicle's tire, thus eliminating an openspace into which tools (e.g., a pry bar or crowbar) could be inserted.Accordingly, tampering with the vehicle locking boot may be reduced oreliminated.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thespacer 601 may include a plastic frame having a hollow center. As anexample, the hollow center of the plastic frame may be substantiallyfilled with foam. Thus, a weight of the spacer 601 may be minimized,while maximizing strength and structural integrity of the spacer 601. Asan example, the spacer 601 may include or may be formed of rubber orplastic; however, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are notlimited thereto.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thespacer 601 may include a plurality of pins (see, e.g., pins 701 and 702in FIG. 7 or compression pins 1110, 1111, 1112 and 1113 in FIG. 11)positioned and dimensioned to be inserted into corresponding holes (see,e.g., holes 710, 711, 712 and 713 in FIGS. 7 and 10) formed in thehorizontal support arm 101.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pinsmay be compression pins (see, e.g., FIG. 11) configured to removeablycouple the spacer 601 to the horizontal support arm 101.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the frontengagement protrusion 103 may include a plastic or rubber coating 801.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rearengagement protrusion 107 may include a plastic or rubber coating 802.Thus, damage to a vehicle's wheel may be reduced or eliminated.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle locking bootaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13illustrates a rear perspective view of the vehicle locking boot of FIG.12. FIG. 14 illustrates a close up view of an interior of a GPS housingand a GPS unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 15 illustrates an angled front view of the vehiclelocking boot of FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 12-15, a global positioning system (GPS) housing 1201is positioned at an upper portion of the first vertical support arm 102.A GPS unit 1202 is positioned in the GPS housing 1201. The GPS unit 1202includes a GPS transmitter. The GPS unit 1202 may additionally include aGPS receiver. The GPS unit 1202 is configured to allow detection of alocation of the vehicle locking boot described herein by determining alocation of the GPS unit 1202. The GPS unit 1202 may also transmit aposition of the vehicle locking boot. As described below in more detail,the GPS transmitter is able to transmit signals through the GPS housing1201 and the GPS receiver is able to receive signals through the GPShousing 1201.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the GPShousing 1201 includes a first side plate 1203 and a second side plate1204 opposite the first side plate. The first and second side plates1203 and 1204 may extend along the lug nut blocking plate 109, such asalong substantially an entire vertical dimension of the lug nut blockingplate 109. The first and second side plates 1203 and 1204 may each beangled sidewalls that gradually taper in width along the verticaldimension of the lug nut blocking plate 109. A rear plate 1205 ispositioned between the first and second side plates 1203 and 1204. Therear plate 1205 may be formed of reinforced plastic.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thereinforced plastic may be a Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). FRP is acomposite material including a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers.The fibers may be glass (e.g., fiberglass), carbon (e.g., carbon fiberreinforced polymer), aramid, or basalt. The polymer may be an epoxy,vinyl ester, or polyester thermosetting plastic.

Applicant has determined that the arrangement of the GPS housing 1201,as described herein in various embodiments, allows the GPS unit 1202 toreceive and transmit signals to identify and track a location of avehicle locking boot. This allows for location and recovery of lost orstolen boots, which may reduce costs associated with booting vehicles.For example, even when the vehicle locking boot is formed of steel oraluminum alloy, which could interfere with GPS signal transmission,Applicant has unexpectedly discovered that the arrangement of the GPShousing 1201, as described herein in various embodiments, allows the GPSunit 1202 to receive and transmit signals to identify and track alocation of a vehicle locking boot.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rearplate 1205 may be removeably anchored to the lug nut blocking plate 109.Thus, the rear plate 1205 forms an enclosed GPS housing 1201 concealingthe GPS unit 1202. For example, the rear plate 1205 may include aplurality of screw extensions (e.g., 1401, 1402—see, e.g., FIG. 14)configured to extend toward the lug nut blocking plate 109. The screwextensions may each be aligned with a corresponding hole (e.g., holes1501, 1502, 1503, 1504—see, e.g., FIG. 15) formed in the lug nutblocking plate 109. Each corresponding hole may include a screw threadedinto a corresponding screw extension and the screw heads may each beconcealed by lug nut blocking pad 110. Each screw head may becountersunk into the lug nut blocking plate 109 to allow a substantiallysmooth surface for adhering the lug nut blocking pad 110. Thus, thepresence of the GPS unit 1202 is not readily apparent to an observer ofthe vehicle locking boot, which may reduce or eliminate an occurrence oftampering or damage to the GPS unit 1202.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the GPSunit 1202 may be configured to be activated by movement from apredetermined location. Initial movement of the GPS unit may bedetermined using a cellular tower network. Thus, unexpected orunauthorized movement of the vehicle locking boot may be detected andthe location of the vehicle locking boot may be tracked. This allows fordetermining and tracking of a location of the vehicle locking boot andrecovery of the vehicle locking boot, thus reducing costs for bootingvehicles. Use of a cellular tower network allows for a relatively lowamount of battery power to be used for location tracking compared withsatellite tracking, thus longevity of the battery described in moredetail below may be increased and a size of the battery may be reduced.As described in more detail below, the battery associated with the GPSunit 1202 may have a battery life of 1-2 years even with relativelyconstant use of the vehicle locking boot described herein.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, alocation of the GPS unit 1202 may be determined by a Global NavigationSatellite System (GNSS) network after the initial movement of the GPSunit 1202 is detected. The location of the GPS unit 1202 determined bythe GNSS may be determined at a predetermined rate (e.g., one or twotimes per day, or continuously if desired). Determining the location ofthe GPS unit 1202 disposed in the vehicle locking boot, as describedherein, allows a battery of the GPS unit to last for an extended periodof time (e.g., as long as 1-2 years).

The GPS unit may be powered by a battery, such as a rechargeablebattery. For example, the battery may be a lithium ion battery.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the GPSunit 1202 may be programmable. Programming the GPS unit allows, forexample, setting the rate at which the location of the GPS unit 1202 isdetermined. The GPS unit 1202 may include a WiFi or cellular networkreceiver. Thus, the GPS unit may be connected with remotely, andprogramming of the GPS unit may be accomplished from a remote location(e.g., via connection over WiFi or a cellular tower network).

The disclosures of each of the references, patents and published patentapplications disclosed herein are each incorporated by reference hereinin their entireties.

In the event of a conflict between a definition herein and a definitionincorporated by reference, the definition provided herein is intended.

Having described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it isfurther noted that it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art that various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle locking boot, comprising: a horizontalsupport arm; a first vertical support arm extending vertically from anupper surface of the horizontal support arm, wherein the first verticalsupport arm comprises a front engagement protrusion extending therefrom;a receiving sleeve extending from the horizontal support arm at a baseof the first vertical support arm along a direction parallel to anextending direction of the horizontal support arm; a horizontalextension portion coupled to the horizontal support arm; a secondvertical support arm extending vertically from the upper surface of thehorizontal extension portion, wherein the second vertical support armcomprises a rear engagement protrusion extending therefrom, and whereinthe front engagement protrusion faces the rear engagement protrusion; akeypad disposed on the first vertical support arm, wherein the keypad isconfigured to lock and unlock the horizontal extension portion; a lugnut blocking plate coupled to the first vertical support arm above thefront engagement protrusion; and a global positioning system (GPS)housing positioned at an upper portion of the first vertical supportarm, wherein a GPS unit is positioned in the GPS housing, wherein theGPS housing includes a first side plate and a second side plate, thefirst and second side plates extending along the lug nut blocking plate,wherein the GPS housing includes a rear plate secured between the firstand second side plates, wherein the rear plate is configured to tiltaway from the lug nut blocking plate.
 2. The vehicle locking boot ofclaim 1, wherein the lug nut blocking plate comprises a lug nut blockingpad disposed on the lug nut blocking plate.
 3. The vehicle locking bootof claim 1, wherein the lug nut locking plate has an octagonal shape. 4.The vehicle locking boot of claim 3, wherein the horizontal extensionportion is coupled to an internal track formed in the horizontal supportarm, and wherein the horizontal extension portion is configured to slidealong the internal track to move the rear engagement protrusion tovarying distances from the front engagement protrusion.
 5. The vehiclelocking boot of claim 4, wherein a distal end of the horizontalextension portion with respect to the second vertical support arm isconcealed within the receiving sleeve when the front engagementprotrusion is in contact with the rear engagement protrusion.
 6. Thevehicle locking boot of claim 5, wherein the horizontal support arm hasa first thickness along a direction orthogonal to the upper surface ofthe horizontal support arm, wherein the receiving sleeve has a secondthickness along the direction orthogonal to the upper surface of thehorizontal support arm, and wherein the second thickness is less thanthe first thickness.
 7. The vehicle locking boot of claim 6, wherein theupper surface of the horizontal support arm extends along a firsthorizontal plane, wherein an upper surface of the receiving sleeveextends along a second horizontal plane, and wherein the firsthorizontal plane is spaced apart from the second horizontal plane alongthe direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal supportarm.
 8. The vehicle locking boot of claim 3, wherein the first verticalsupport arm forms a 90° angle with the horizontal support arm.
 9. Thevehicle locking boot of claim 3, wherein a diameter of the lug nutblocking plate is at least 10 inches.
 10. The vehicle locking boot ofclaim 1, wherein the rear plate comprises a plurality of screwextensions configured to extend toward the lug nut blocking plate, thescrew extensions each aligned with a corresponding hole formed in thelug nut blocking plate.
 11. The vehicle locking boot of claim 1, whereinthe rear plate includes plastic.
 12. The vehicle locking boot of claim11, wherein the rear plate is configured to allow transmission of a GPSsignal from a GPS transmitter.
 13. The vehicle locking boot of claim 1,wherein the GPS unit includes a GPS transmitter.
 14. The vehicle lockingboot of claim 1, wherein the GPS unit is configured to be activated bymovement from a predetermined location.
 15. The vehicle locking boot ofclaim 14, wherein an initial movement of the GPS unit is determinedusing a cellular tower network.
 16. The vehicle locking boot of claim15, wherein a location of the GPS unit is determined by a GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS) network after the initial movement ofthe GPS unit is detected.
 17. The vehicle locking boot of claim 16,wherein the location of the GPS unit determined by the GNSS isdetermined at a predetermined rate.
 18. The vehicle locking boot ofclaim 1, wherein the rear plate is rotatably secured to the first andsecond side plates to open the GPS housing.
 19. The vehicle locking bootof claim 1, wherein the rear plate includes a first external sidewallfacing a first internal sidewall of the first side plate, and whereinthe rear plate includes a second external sidewall facing a secondinternal sidewall of the second plate.